Good fantasy/D&D/wizard stories for young children?
September 16, 2015 10:14 AM Subscribe
I'm looking for short fantasy books in a Dungeons and Dragon style (knights, monsters, magic, etc.) that are suitable for young children (2-5 years old).
My older son likes superheroes, transformers, scooby-doo, etc., and a lot of that is because that's what he sees all around him. I'd like to expose him to fantasy stories about heroes defeating monsters, wizards using magic, etc. I know that in another 4-5 years, we will have a whole treasure trove of books to start reading, but for now, while he's young (5), I'd like to find some shorter chapter books, or other good picture books that delves into this format. If there are some that are appropriate for younger children as well (2-3), I'd also love to hear about them.
Before it's suggested, we're not interested in Harry Potter right now. That will come later when he's ready for the length and the darkness of the later books.
I'm not opposed to veering away from the traditional knights/wizards type of stories. We're about to start playing a fantasy board game where all of the heroes are turned into mice, and have to fight against the evil rats/spiders/bugs/etc. As long as some of the traditional fantasy elements are there (swords, magic, creatures, etc), and it avoids more modern stuff (computers, guns, cars, etc.), that's what we're looking for.
So, any suggestions?
My older son likes superheroes, transformers, scooby-doo, etc., and a lot of that is because that's what he sees all around him. I'd like to expose him to fantasy stories about heroes defeating monsters, wizards using magic, etc. I know that in another 4-5 years, we will have a whole treasure trove of books to start reading, but for now, while he's young (5), I'd like to find some shorter chapter books, or other good picture books that delves into this format. If there are some that are appropriate for younger children as well (2-3), I'd also love to hear about them.
Before it's suggested, we're not interested in Harry Potter right now. That will come later when he's ready for the length and the darkness of the later books.
I'm not opposed to veering away from the traditional knights/wizards type of stories. We're about to start playing a fantasy board game where all of the heroes are turned into mice, and have to fight against the evil rats/spiders/bugs/etc. As long as some of the traditional fantasy elements are there (swords, magic, creatures, etc), and it avoids more modern stuff (computers, guns, cars, etc.), that's what we're looking for.
So, any suggestions?
I read The Hobbit to my son when he was 5. It took about a year to read, and he certainly didn't retain it all, but he enjoyed it.
He's 7 now, and we've just started a campaign of Mice and Mystics too. ;)
Beware, it's a hard game even for grownups, but a fun time.
(In fact, my son started calling it "The we-can't-beat-Chapter-1 game")
posted by jozxyqk at 10:24 AM on September 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
He's 7 now, and we've just started a campaign of Mice and Mystics too. ;)
Beware, it's a hard game even for grownups, but a fun time.
(In fact, my son started calling it "The we-can't-beat-Chapter-1 game")
posted by jozxyqk at 10:24 AM on September 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: I've played enough Mice and Mystics to know that it can be brutal, but I'm going to make a few adjustments for playing it with my son to decrease the difficulty. I'm hoping to get him interested in the fantasy genre before we start playing.
posted by markblasco at 10:33 AM on September 16, 2015
posted by markblasco at 10:33 AM on September 16, 2015
I don't know if he's old enough for Rutabaga: The Adventure Chef, or if it's funny if you don't already know s&s tropes, but there's a preview online. If you're willing to read aloud, maybe Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede. The picture books Journey and Quest might be worth a look, too. Oh, and speaking of heroic mice: The Tale of Despereaux is a book, graphic novel, and movie.
posted by wintersweet at 10:56 AM on September 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by wintersweet at 10:56 AM on September 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
My 6-year-old daughter LOVES the Hobbit. Loves it. I recommend it and we have an illustrated version as well.
Over the summer I finished reading her the BFG, Matilda and James and the Giant Peach, all by Roald Dahl. Not sure if they fit your "fantasy" request, but they are all fairly fantastical and easy enough for a 5/6-year-old to grasp and enjoy. They are also very light hearted.
posted by sutel at 10:58 AM on September 16, 2015
Over the summer I finished reading her the BFG, Matilda and James and the Giant Peach, all by Roald Dahl. Not sure if they fit your "fantasy" request, but they are all fairly fantastical and easy enough for a 5/6-year-old to grasp and enjoy. They are also very light hearted.
posted by sutel at 10:58 AM on September 16, 2015
Response by poster: To clarify, this would be for me to read aloud, we usually do a small chapter book or several short stories a night right now.
We've done James and the Giant, Fortunately the Milk, and a few others in that style, and will continue to do so, but I've been hard pressed to find anything in the knight/wizard/dragon style that aren't longer/deeper books, which we aren't quite ready for yet.
The Hobbit is definitely on my list for next year when he'll be able to sit through the "boring parts" (as he says) a little better.
posted by markblasco at 11:03 AM on September 16, 2015
We've done James and the Giant, Fortunately the Milk, and a few others in that style, and will continue to do so, but I've been hard pressed to find anything in the knight/wizard/dragon style that aren't longer/deeper books, which we aren't quite ready for yet.
The Hobbit is definitely on my list for next year when he'll be able to sit through the "boring parts" (as he says) a little better.
posted by markblasco at 11:03 AM on September 16, 2015
All 3 My Father's Dragon books are delightful. Also try anything Edward Eager.
posted by latkes at 11:12 AM on September 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by latkes at 11:12 AM on September 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
Oh, and Oz!
posted by latkes at 11:12 AM on September 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by latkes at 11:12 AM on September 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
If you can find them, the 'Oss the Quick' series of books are for very young children (illustrated, very large print, simple vocabulary) and are exactly this. They're also completely delightful.
posted by piato at 11:52 AM on September 16, 2015
posted by piato at 11:52 AM on September 16, 2015
The Magic Tree House books by Mary Pope Osborne would be a good series to try. Characters include Morgan Le Fay and Merlin, the kids travel through time and space and have fun adventures, and there are quite a few to read.
posted by mogget at 12:11 PM on September 16, 2015
posted by mogget at 12:11 PM on September 16, 2015
The magic treehouse books are great. Also, the pape rbag princess is probably shorter than you're looking for, but really great.
posted by lab.beetle at 12:14 PM on September 16, 2015
posted by lab.beetle at 12:14 PM on September 16, 2015
Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander?
posted by travertina at 12:39 PM on September 16, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by travertina at 12:39 PM on September 16, 2015 [3 favorites]
I'd say the Gruffalo is a good book for 2/3 year olds with a hero defeating the monster (and various predators) via his cunning rather than violence.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 1:05 PM on September 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by EndsOfInvention at 1:05 PM on September 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
Oh oh oh!!! Yes!!! Seconding the Chronicles Of Prydain!!!
posted by WalkerWestridge at 1:11 PM on September 16, 2015
posted by WalkerWestridge at 1:11 PM on September 16, 2015
Why let the boys have all the adventure? Try Augie and the Green Knight by Zach Weinersmith.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 1:29 PM on September 16, 2015
posted by robocop is bleeding at 1:29 PM on September 16, 2015
My five year old daughter and I read the entire BONE comic series together and she absolutely loved it. There are definitely some heavy and violent themes, but she was not bothered by them.
posted by Kafkaesque at 3:21 PM on September 16, 2015
posted by Kafkaesque at 3:21 PM on September 16, 2015
I came to suggest The Gruffalo series, as well as some of the other Julia Donaldson stories (Zog, Room on the Broom...)
posted by synecdoche at 7:33 PM on September 16, 2015
posted by synecdoche at 7:33 PM on September 16, 2015
Mouse Guard!
You might consider reading him classic fairy tales, if you haven't already. Many a fantasy lover got their start with the Blue Fairy Book.
posted by thetortoise at 7:50 PM on September 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
You might consider reading him classic fairy tales, if you haven't already. Many a fantasy lover got their start with the Blue Fairy Book.
posted by thetortoise at 7:50 PM on September 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
Mention of "The we-can't-beat-Chapter-1 game" has just reminded me that my mother read/DMed The Warlock of Firetop Mountain for my brother and me when I was five and he was two.
More than thirty years later I have still never successfully completed that book...
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 1:28 AM on September 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
More than thirty years later I have still never successfully completed that book...
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 1:28 AM on September 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
What about the Dragon Slayers Acaedmy books? They are chapter books.
posted by Biblio at 3:01 PM on September 17, 2015
posted by Biblio at 3:01 PM on September 17, 2015
My son loved the Droon series, which is about the same reading level as Magic Treehouse.
posted by JawnBigboote at 8:09 AM on September 18, 2015
posted by JawnBigboote at 8:09 AM on September 18, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
2 yo : Julia Donaldson books (gruffalo, room on a broom), Paper bag princess.
posted by French Fry at 10:23 AM on September 16, 2015